Melbourne, 26 January 2026 – The 2026 Australian Open experienced a moment of pure emotion that moved the entire audience at Rod Laver Arena and millions of spectators around the world. Immediately after sealing an epic fourth-round victory against Alexander Bublik, Alex de Minaur gave a tender and meaningful gesture to his girlfriend Katie Boulter, who sat in the stands with her heart in her mouth. The gesture unleashed a wave of applause and tears, transforming a simple tennis match into one of the most romantic and viral moments of the tournament.

De Minaur, the Australian number one and one of the favorites of the home crowd, had just secured passage to the quarter-finals with a dominant performance: 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-3 against Kazakh Bublik, in a match that lasted just over two hours. The “Demon” – a nickname earned for his speed and defensive tenacity – was full of adrenaline, but his first thought did not go to his next opponent (Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals), but to the woman who has supported him for years: Katie Boulter, the British tennis player who was in the stands at that moment, visibly emotional.

As the crowd chanted his name and the cameras zoomed in on the pitch, de Minaur took the marker from the ball boy, walked to the main camera and wrote a direct message with a shaking hand: “Katie ❤️ 49%.” Then, with a shy but radiant smile, he pointed to the grandstand where Boulter sat next to his team’s garage. The cameras immediately focused on the 29-year-old Brit: hands on her face in a mixture of shock and joy, eyes shining, before standing up to applaud with tears streaming down her cheeks.

The microphone captured his words, whispered but clear: “I came to watch a match… I didn’t expect that.”

“49%” is not a random number. As de Minaur explained in a press conference shortly afterwards, it is a private and very sweet reference to their relationship: «We have had a bet between us for years. Every time I win an important match, I tell her that I’m at 49% of my potential… because I owe the remaining 51% to her. It’s my way of telling her that without her I wouldn’t be here.”

The words made the audience melt, and the gesture went viral in a few minutes: clips of the moment exceeded 10 million views on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and X by the evening.

Katie Boulter, who reached the quarter-finals in 2025 at Wimbledon and supports de Minaur in every possible tournament despite his busy schedule, had arrived in Melbourne precisely to support him in this historic edition. The couple, officially engaged since the end of 2024, is known for their solid and discreet bond: they met on the ATP/WTA circuit, supported each other in difficult moments (including injuries and heavy defeats) and shared moments of everyday life on social media.

Boulter had already been in the stands for the victories against Tiafoe (third round) and other matches, but this post-match gesture exceeded all expectations.

De Minaur, interviewed on-court by Jim Courier immediately after the match, did not hide his emotion: «Katie is my rock. Seeing her there, knowing how much she has traveled and how much she believes in me… gives me incredible strength. That “49%” is for her, because it makes me better every day.” When Courier jokingly asked him about wedding plans (the couple have already talked about an imminent wedding), de Minaur laughed sheepishly: “I’m planning… but first let’s try to win a few more games here at home!”.

In the stands, Boulter reacted with a huge smile and a thumbs up, sparking laughter and applause.

The moment wasn’t just romantic: It also highlighted the human side of professional tennis. In a tournament marked by extreme heat, injuries (such as Sinner’s cramps in the third round) and controversies (Spizzirri’s accusations), this gesture reminded everyone that behind the champions there are personal stories, love and sacrifice. Many colleagues reacted positively: Novak Djokovic tweeted «Beautiful moment, Alex.

Congratulations to you and Katie ❤️», while Andy Roddick – whose wife Brooklyn Decker ironically commented on the viral post trolling her husband for “not being as romantic” – praised de Minaur for his spontaneity.

The gesture also has a symbolic meaning for de Minaur: an Australian of Uruguayan and Spanish origins, raised between Spain and Australia, he has always fought to be accepted as a “true Aussie” in his home tennis. With Boulter at her side – a Brit who has embraced Australian culture – the “Katie ❤️ 49%” message has become a symbol of gratitude and humility. Boulter, for his part, posted a photo of the moment on Instagram with the caption: «My 51% forever. Proud of you, baby ❤️ #AO2026″.

The tournament continues, with de Minaur preparing to face Alcaraz in the quarterfinals – a match Boulter will not be able to see live, having had to return to Europe due to personal commitments and her WTA calendar. But the memory of that gesture will remain imprinted: a reminder that tennis is not just aces, smashes and break points, but also love, support and moments that make the heart beat faster than any decisive point.

In an edition already full of emotions – from Sinner’s comeback against Spizzirri to Sabalenka’s domination – this moment between de Minaur and Boulter won the unofficial title of “sweetest moment of the Australian Open 2026”. And as the tennis world looks ahead to the semi-finals and final, one thing is certain: Alex de Minaur is not just playing for the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup trophy, but also for that 51% that makes it complete.